How to Install and Use Discord on Steam Deck (Desktop & Gaming Mode)

Direct Answer: How to Get Discord on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode has no app store for third-party software. SteamOS is Linux-based, though, so you can install the Discord desktop app from Desktop Mode using the Discover software center. The Discord package on Flathub, which Discover installs from, is verified by Discord Inc. Once it is installed, add it to Steam as a Non-Steam Game. You can then launch it in Gaming Mode, join a voice channel, and keep it running in the background while you play.

If you recently picked up a Steam Deck (or are comparing it against the ROG Ally in our best handheld gaming PC guide), follow the steps below to get Discord running.

Step 1: Switch to Desktop Mode

Before you can install anything outside of Steam, you need the Linux desktop.

1. Press the Steam button on the left side of your Deck to open the main menu.
2. Scroll down and select Power.
3. Choose Switch to Desktop.

After a moment the Deck loads a standard desktop. Use the right trackpad as a mouse: clicking it is a left-click, and clicking the left trackpad is a right-click. To bring up the on-screen keyboard, press Steam + X.

Step 2: Install Discord from the Discover Store

SteamOS uses a software center called Discover, so you can install apps without using the terminal.

1. Click the blue shopping bag icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen to open Discover.
2. Click the search bar at the top left of the Discover window.
3. Press Steam + X to open the keyboard and type Discord.
4. Select Discord in the results and click Install.

Wait for the download and installation to finish. Apps installed this way live on the Deck’s internal storage alongside your games, so make sure you have some free space. If a Steam game on your Deck ever starts crashing or refusing to launch, our guide on how to scan and repair Steam game files shows how to have Steam verify its files.

Step 3: Add Discord to Your Steam Library

If you only want Discord in Desktop Mode, you are done. To use it from Gaming Mode, add it to Steam.

1. While still in Desktop Mode, open the Steam app from the desktop or the application launcher at the bottom left.
2. Click the Add a Game button in the lower-left corner of the Steam window.
3. Select Add a Non-Steam Game.
4. In the list of installed programs, find Discord and tick the box next to it.
5. Click Add Selected Programs.

Step 4: Return to Gaming Mode and Launch Discord

1. On the desktop, double-click Return to Gaming Mode. The Deck switches back to the normal Steam Deck interface.
2. Press the Steam button and open your Library.
3. Press R1 to move across the tabs until you reach Non-Steam.
4. Select Discord and press Play.

The first time, you will need to sign in. Scanning a QR code is quicker than typing your email and password on the on-screen keyboard. Open the Discord app on your phone, find the Scan QR Code option in its settings, and point your camera at the code on the Deck’s login screen.

Step 5: Use Discord While Playing a Game

Gaming Mode can keep more than one app running at a time. To talk to friends while you play:

1. Launch Discord from the Non-Steam tab and join your voice channel.
2. Press the Steam button to open the Steam menu. Do not choose Exit Game on Discord.
3. Go to your Library and launch the game you want to play.

Discord keeps running in the background. To mute yourself, change someone’s volume or switch channels, press the Steam button again. Both Discord and your game appear in the Steam menu, so you can jump to Discord, make your change, and switch back to the game.

Push-to-Talk on Steam Deck: What Actually Works

Many guides suggest binding a keyboard key to one of the Deck’s back buttons (L4, L5, R4 or R5) and using it as Discord’s push-to-talk key. In Gaming Mode this does not work reliably while you are playing. Steam Input uses the controller layout of the app that is on screen. When your game is in front, your button presses go to the game, not to Discord running in the background. A push-to-talk request for Steam Deck Gaming Mode has been open on Valve’s SteamOS issue tracker since 2022 (issue #820).

The practical options are:

• Voice Activity: in Discord, open User Settings > Voice & Video, set Input Mode to Voice Activity and adjust the input sensitivity so game audio and background noise do not trigger your mic. Wearing headphones helps.
• Mute from the Steam menu: press the Steam button, switch to Discord, toggle your mic mute, and switch back to the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Discord drain the Steam Deck battery faster?

Running Discord in the background uses some extra CPU, memory and network activity on top of your game, so expect battery life to drop somewhat during voice calls. How much depends on the game and your settings.

Can I stream my Steam Deck gameplay to Discord?

Screen sharing works as expected in Desktop Mode. In Gaming Mode, many games show up as a black screen on the stream even though the audio comes through. This is a known SteamOS issue (issue #1659 on Valve’s tracker, open since October 2024), and whether it happens depends on the game.

Why is my microphone not working in Discord?

Open Discord’s User Settings > Voice & Video and check that the Input Device is set to the Deck’s built-in microphone or to Default, and that the input volume is up. Also check that the microphone icon at the bottom left of Discord is not showing as muted.

Sources & Reference Links

• Steam Support – Steam Deck Desktop Mode FAQ
• Flathub – Discord (verified: Discord Inc.)
• Pi My Life Up – How to Install and Run Discord on the Steam Deck
• Valve SteamOS issue #820 – Push-to-talk in Gaming Mode
• Valve SteamOS issue #1659 – Screen sharing shows black screen in Game Mode
• Flathub verification status for Discord – confirms the Flathub package is verified by Discord Inc.

Updated September 15, 2026: replaced the push-to-talk setup, which does not work while a game is on screen, with options that do work. Corrected the screen-sharing answer against Valve’s issue tracker and removed an unsourced battery figure.